So here we are, at the beginning of a journey to add another child to our family. This time will be different. This time I won’t be pregnant for nine months. This time I won’t hold my baby for nine months and dream about seeing her face for the first time. This time we already know what she looks like. This time we already know her name and her birthday. This time we will watch her grow up from afar for a year or more while we work tirelessly to bring her home.

We are the Ford Family. My name is Alysen. I am a stay at home mom. My husband is police officer and we are raising two children currently; we have a precious three year old girl and a little boy who will soon be eight months old. And now we have another little girl. She is waiting on us in S.E. Asia. She is two years old and she also happens to be blind. She is perfect in every way, and we are very proud parents!

One night after our oldest daughter was born my husband and I were watching the documentary “Its a Girl.” That kind of thing has a way of popping your safe little bubble and opening your eyes to how the Lord has blessed you. Then it gets you thinking, why has he blessed us with more than we need, and so many opportunities? We are no more deserving than anyone else in the world. EXACTLY. “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required” Luke 12:48 We talked about adopting that day.

We decided we would look into it when we were more stable. It was the Lord preparing our hearts. Our sweet little two year old was born right around that time. Fast forward about two years and we are in a new town, my husband has a good job, and we have purchased our first home. We started attending a new church here locally and noticed lots of adoptive families. I even started getting involved in some fundraising efforts for adoption and slowly we pulled our heads out if the sand and remembered that first whisper from God telling us to adopt. We started looking into programs and agencies and the Lord led us to our daughter. “God sets the lonely in families” Psalm 68:6. Our little girl deserves a family. She deserves a mommy and a daddy to hold her, and teach her about the love our heavenly Father has for her, and to help her make her mark on this word.

So here we are. We are paper chasing and fundraising and praying for the Lords guidance and help to bring us to our baby. We cannot wait to hold our sweet girl and have our family of five all together forever!

11/16/16—TRAVELING DECEMBER 12

$2,972.78
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Ford.jpg720720Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-04-19 16:14:362016-11-30 08:24:17RORI for the Ford family -- AL

Richard and Ella have committed their lives to adopting and raising children to be godly men and women. They have thirteen wonderful children and are returning to Bulgaria to adopt three more. Richard and Ella consider adoption to be their ministry. Their goal is to show the world that all children deserve a mom and dad, and that special needs children in particular bestow a special blessing from God. What better way is there to show that all people are created in God’s image and worthy of honor and respect than adopting a special needs child? What better way is there to teach us patience and perseverance, and to step outside our comfort zone? In pursuit of this goal, Richard and Ella have purchased a large foreclosed home on 11.5 acres of land. They are filling the home with children. They believe children are happy and healthy when able to work and play outdoors. And there is plenty of opportunity. They have chickens, ducks, cats, and a dog, as well as a very large garden and an orchard. There is enough to do that everyone is involved. No job is too small! What started out as a ministry of Richard and Ella has now become the family ministry. All the kids are involved in the upcoming adoption and are excited to have new brothers and a sister.

Everyone is extremely happy to have found three wonderful children. Catherine and Mark are an older brother and sister pair who are very happy to be adopted together. Richard and Ella are also excited about adopting Nicolai, a two-year old boy with Down Syndrome. They have wanted to adopt a child with Down Syndrome for several years. The last time they went to Bulgaria, they were blessed to adopt a child with Noonan Syndrome. Now they have a chance to show the world that children with Down Syndrome are a blessing to all.

12/1/16—AWAITING FINAL TRIP

$2,739.41
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/2015_Bulgaria_Zuelsdorf.jpg418553Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2015-08-12 17:05:492016-12-01 10:46:24Three Children for the Zuelsdorf family - CA

While Todd and Melissa always felt a calling to adopt, their real adoption story began 3 years ago when they started the process to bring two boys home from Eastern Europe. Since that time they have learned so much more about the hearts and needs of children all over the world who are hurting and alone, waiting for a family to take a chance on them. A few months ago they started hearing that still small voice telling them their family wasn’t yet completed and they began once again seeking wisdom to know what this calling would look like for their family. After a lot of prayer and consideration there was one little face that stood out and said “Pick me!” A 7 year old little girl who is in severe need for medical intervention and simply someone to care about her. Much like Lance, the Schmitt’s 5 year old son, she is not able to sit up or roll over and suffers from severe muscle spasticity.

The Schmitt’s have learned so much from Lance in the past 2 years that a physical inability to do these things does not mean they are incapable of joy and love. As they watch Lance laugh and smile (things he wouldn’t do when he first came home) they want to be able to provide this little one with that same opportunity to experience joy, love, warmth, physical contact, and a full belly every day without question.

***While Melissa was visiting Ava on trip one she met a little boy who absolutely stole her heart. The Schmitts had been approved for 2 children, but hadn’t felt a call toward a specific second child until the first day Melissa met Ava and saw Nigel, she knew he was special and was meant to be a part of their family. They didn’t know if it would even be possible at that point to add him to their adoption and relied wholly on God to open the necessary doors to bring him home, as one door after another opened they have been so encouraged to get to add this special child to their family.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Schmitt.jpg535800Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2015-12-02 16:32:432016-11-17 11:36:34AVA and NIGEL for the Schmitt family -- CO

The Hadley’s adoption journey is the culmination of a long awaited heart’s desire. Jon and Kari had discussed adopting or fostering multiple times. However, God was clear that the time was never right either through multiple military moves and deployments or Kari’s numerous (4) pregnancies. Then after the birth of their 4th son, Kari began to look for ways to use her love of running to help children in need. It was during the registration for the Walt Disney World Marathon that Kari found RODS (Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome). Kari has always had a heart and passion for children and adults with Down Syndrome and a longing to maybe one day adopt a special needs child. Partnering with RODS allowed Kari to use her running in advocacy and awareness for children that captured her heart. Kari was glad she was helping a child with Down Syndrome find a forever home. When Kari joined RODS, Laura was not the RODS Orphan. Shortly after joining RODS, Laura became the new RODS Orphan. Kari immediately felt a draw towards Laura but it was a few months before she really began to try to find out more about her. Kari soon began to feel that God was directing her toward Laura but did not know how Jon would feel about an international special needs adoption. Jon was certainly surprised when Kari suggested that they adopt Laura. Jon requested Kari get more information on the process and Laura and from there things just took off. Every question asked was answered in a way that led Jon and Kari to feel that this was what they were called to do. All the information they could find on Laura only confirmed for Kari that she was the daughter God was giving them. Kari and Jon are now trying to bring Laura home in record time to join her four anxiously awaiting brothers.

11/10/16—FIRST TRIP NOVEMBER 15

$1,252.44
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Laura-Photo-3-Mar-2015A-212x300.jpg300212Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-04-05 15:02:332016-11-10 18:32:33LAURA for the Hadley family -- AL

Jode and Kelley have been blessed through adoption with eight beautiful and amazing children. Although their lives and hearts are overflowing, they know their family is not yet complete. After much prayer and consideration, they feel led to adopt two precious children, a brother and sister, from Africa. The older sister has no special needs; however, the little brother is developmentally delayed and hearing impaired. Both children were orphaned due to the Ebola plague and have been through much in their little lives.

Jode and Kelley are asking you to partner with them to help bring these precious children home by:

Donating – No amount of money is too small or too large and all donations are tax deductible,

Praying – please agree with them in prayer that God will supply everything they need for this adoption and

Sharing – please share this family sponsorship page with your friends and family and ask them to pray and donate too.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Hunter-1.jpg800666Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-08-29 14:27:342016-10-21 10:55:26CLARA and HUNTER for the Robinson family -- SC

For several years, Phil and Kristie Graves had been discussing the idea of adoption. It would come up in conversation and then be put off for “later”. One day Kristie came across Reece’s Rainbow and found a girl named “Sage” and knew immediately that she was their child.

After beginning the process to adopt, “Sage” was adopted by a French family, leaving Phil and Kristie distraught and unsure of what to do next. Then their 11 year old daughter reminded them of another little girl they had seen in pictures with “Sage”. Her name was “Olivia” and they had considered adopting both girls. After much prayer and consideration, they decided that God had shown them “Sage” so they could discover “Olivia”.

The Graves’ have three biological children, Kara, Ethan, and Owen. Won’t you please help to take their family from five people to six? They have decided to call this process, “The Journey from Odd to Even.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Olivia-Photo-11-August-2015-August-2015-crop.jpg800563Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2015-11-05 15:33:462016-10-04 20:54:27OLIVIA for the Graves family -- MD

The Sotolongo family recently adopted their son “Nevada” as named on Reece’s Rainbow. The Sotolongo’s have four other children all under 6 years old. Nevada’s first year has been nothing short of a miracle. He has undergone corrective heart surgery, which in his country was deemed impossible based on his condition. He is flourishing in a family, learning to sign words and perform daily tasks. He bond’s and interacts very well with his siblings. While adopting Nevada, the Sotolongo’s met a few other children at the orphanage that grabbed their hearts. When leaving, the Sotolongo’s already felt that they would be back. The Sotolongo family is very excited to revisit Nevada’s orphanage and leave with new additions to their family. The Sotolongo’s want to thank you for your support and prayer as they continue on this adoption journey.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Kendall-2014-225x300.jpg300225Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2014-11-29 09:30:382016-11-10 10:38:38KENDALL and GIDEON for the Sotolongo family -- FL

We are Bob and Amy Meeker. We have 5 children, 4 of which are adopted. After we had our biological daughter Molly we felt called to adoption or foster care. While browsing on an adoption website we found our son Timmy (age 7) from South Korea. His special need was complex heart issues. After having him home a short time God lead us to Savannah on the same website. She is 7 now and her special need is congenital hypothyroidism and autism. Then we adopted Kelsey and Emily. Kelsey’s special need is Cerebral Palsy and Emily has multiple special needs. All of our adopted daughters are from China.

In 2013 before we were matched with Kelsey we were matched with “Linny”. While waiting on our pre-approval, Bob lost his job. We were forced to release Linny’s file. Four weeks later Bob found a job and we were ready to pursue Linny again however another family had already locked her file. We made friends with the family through Facebook and anxiously waited to see her come home. Unfortunately, the family was unable to move forward with her adoption and released her file. In January of 2016 our amazing agency was able to find Linny’s file and we were able to start the process of adopting her again! We are so excited that Linny is going to be a Meeker.

Linny is 6 years old and her special need was Spinabifida. While in foster care she had an accident which lead to a brain bleed, then surgery, and right side paralysis. Many families have meet her while traveling and she is described as having a gentle peace about her. Her best friend from the orphanage was recently adopted as well so we know she is hanging on to the HOPE of having her very own family.

We will be traveling before the end of 2016 and we greatly appreciate your help in bringing her home! Her new name will be Isabelle Dove Meeker.

11/16/16—TRAVELING DECEMBER 8

$577.15
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.png00Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-10-04 09:05:552016-11-16 11:22:46LINNY for the Meeker family -- TX

Jason and Rebekah Waller have been married for almost 14 years and have 4 beautiful children. Adoption was only something they had discussed briefly as a “maybe one day” or “we might eventually” kind of notion. One day, after following a Reece’s Rainbow link a friend had posted on facebook, Rebekah came face to face with Tyler. She immediately felt a connection, but knew she couldn’t make that decision alone. After weeks of crying, praying, and constantly thinking about this precious boy, Jason agreed that they should contact someone for more info.

It’s been tough, but they can already see the great rewards. Their kids (especially the oldest) are super excited! Please pray for the process and for sweet Tyler.

9/22/16—FIRST TRIP OCTOBER 21

$3,644.09
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.png00Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-09-22 16:10:272016-10-10 13:27:43TYLER for the Waller family -- AL

John and Christina Carter call their home “Glorious Chaos”. They have six children, ranging in age from 23 down to 3 years old and love big family life. Circumstances surrounding the birth of six child and fifth daughter, Nora meant that there would be no more biological children. John and Chris always knew, from the very beginning that adoption would be a part of their story and this just confirmed it.

It was a “someday” kind of idea, but then the three youngest children began praying for an adopted child to join the family. They had watched another family walk through international adoption, and these little ones knew that it was something they wanted to do too.

Chris went on Reece’s Rainbow, thinking to choose three profiles to post on the bulletin board for the family to pray daily for.

But there were four, not three, that jumped out at her. All four were printed and tacked up in the dining room and the family began to pray.

One of those four just stayed on their minds and in their hearts. Shyla.

The rest is history! John and Chris can not wait to get this little girl in the midst of their Glorious Chaos and be the family that she deserves. It turned out that Somday was now!

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Shyla-1.jpg1024734Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-01-28 17:25:022016-10-03 16:55:32SHYLA for the Carter family -- VA

Russ and Jody met in a blind date. They hit it off right away and were married nine months later. After two years of marriage they were blessed with a son, Jakob. Jakob was a preemie and had five holes in his little heart. It was a tough two years but Jakob overcame all obstacles. Russ and Jody knew they wanted more children, so they became foster parents in 2003. When their first foster child went home it left them feeling sad and their home felt very empty. So Russ and Jody made the decision to adopt internationally. In 2005, they brought their 9 month old son, Joshua home from Guatemala. Life was good, over the next ten years Russ and Jody added four more children – Julia, Jenna, Jordan and Jaxson – all of them adopted through Foster Care.

They were feeling complete. But God has a great sense of humor and a different plan for the Navratil family. You see, Jody’s father passed away the previous year, they were very close. One night in July Jody’s father came to her in a dream and told her; “Jody, your family is not complete.” Jody was a bit stunned and laughed it off and thought it was just a crazy dream. But, then her dad began bringing her a little girl every night in her dreams. Jody began researching adoption again but was not ready to share all this to her husband as Jody was afraid he would say, no way. Then one day Russ asked Jody if she felt like their family was complete because he didn’t and felt they should adopt again. Jody was thrilled, so she began searching a little harder and then one night she came across the little girl in her dreams! This little girl was Clover. Jody was in tears and over joyed. Jody shared the picture with her nine year old daughter, Julia. When Julia saw the picture she says, “that’s my sister!” When shared with Russ after work they all knew she was meant to be a part of the Navratil family.

Russ, Jody and their six children can’t wait to get her home where she will be loved unconditionally and will be a part of a forever family. As it says in John 14:18 “I will not leave you orphans I will come to you” God has not abandoned us, he has called us by name and through his sacrifices we are called chosen and adopted by God.

Won’t you consider a donation, so Clover can be an orphan no more and know the love of a family. No amount is too small. If you are unable to support financially please keep the Navratil family in your prayers. Thank you.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Clover.jpg643374Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-02-29 18:08:302016-12-08 07:35:51CLOVER for the Navratil family -- MN

Grant and Susan Lee have been married for 10 1/2 years and currently have six children. The breakdown of the half a dozen kids includes, four children from prior marriages, one child of our own, and one adopted child. Susan has always had a passion to adopt in her heart at a very young age, while Grant did not. When we, as a family adopted our youngest child Soo Min from South Korea seven years ago, Susan was elated as her dream of adopting a child finally came true. Grant was excited but did not share the same passion as Susan. As time passed by, Grant realized the passion for adoption and began to share these same feelings. The idea of giving his son a new life full of unconditional love became very important and special to Grant and he knew that they would adopt again. This feeling is shared passionately with our children. Our kids realize that they are so fortunate that God has provided all of them with a life full of love, grace, and opportunity. They also realize that they are all children of God and they need to have open sensitive hearts, to bring another one of God’s children to our family. A baby girl named Comfort is our child who were are bringing home. Comfort is HIV positive, our family knew immediately just by looking at her that she is the chosen one to join the Lee family. We will work together as a family to make sure she has all the medical care and love she deserves. We are often reminded of Galatians 3:26 – For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. We are all children of God and we need to help other children. The Lee siblings help each other, Grant and Susan help each other. It is now time for our entire family to bring Comfort into our home through the grace of God.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Comfort.jpg825686Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2015-03-13 13:48:342016-01-08 15:10:55COMFORT for the Lee family -- MI

Ron and Nina Polmateer are a proud military couple who have been married for almost 8 years. Their life is full of adventures as you never know what life as a military family is going to throw at them.

Ron and Nina have no biological children of their own. However, Ron and Nina do have two furry family members named Wicket and Leia. They have been trying for 7 years with no luck and recently found out that due to Nina being a cancer survivor the chances of having a biological child are very slim to none. Together they got through the news of not being able to have biological children and decided that adoption is the best route to make their dreams of becoming parents a reality.

Ron and Nina decided to do an international adoption after sponsoring a child while stationed in Korea. They contacted an agency located in their state and started the search for their child browsing a few photo listings of waiting children on Reece’s Rainbow and none of them stood out to them more than Noel.

Ron and Nina are very excited to add Noel to be a part of their family as are their furry family members. Wicket in particular loves kids and is always seeking out the neighborhood kids when they are playing outside. Any donations are greatly appreciated and the Polmateer family thanks you!

11/2/16—FINAL TRIP DECEMBER 3

$291.00
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.png00Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-08-10 16:22:152016-12-08 19:37:20NOEL for the Polmateer family -- WA

The Bison family lives in North Carolina and is excited to be growing their family through adoption again! John and Heidi have two biological children, Ariauna and Jaeden (ages 15 and 13) and adopted Grace (age 9) in March of 2015. Grace has a diagnosis of Down Syndrome as does their new son!

John and Heidi first heard the Lord’s calling on their life in February of 2014 to grow their family through special needs adoption. The Bison family had no idea just what that would look like or how much it would impact their life. But they are blessed beyond measure with their three children at home and can not wait to add their son to the family!
John and Heidi covet your prayers on their behalf as they journey through this adoption process and especially for their waiting son!

“For we walk by faith and not by sight” 2 Cor. 5:7

11/16/16—TRAVELING NOVEMBER 22

Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog

$17,573.50
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

Kevin and Danielle were high school sweethearts, brought together by a strong love for family, church and the outdoors. Married right out of high school, completing college and then turning to a strong desire to “grow” their family. In 2006 they were blessed with a daughter Cassidy. Shortly after “life” got busy and although they had always intended to have a large family the timing didn’t seem right. Then unexpectedly in 2013 Danielle experienced a health crises and underwent surgery to remove a large mass, thanks be to God that it was benign however complications left her unable to have any more children.

The last three years have been challenging, with a wave of various emotions. Over the last year God has laid it in their hearts that although this was not in their “plan” his timing is perfect. They have decided that adoption is a perfect opportunity to add to their family. They were originally planning on starting with one child, however when they heard that there was a sibling pair(one of which has special needs due to spina bifida) in jeopardy of being split if a family wasn’t found soon decided what better way to “grow” their family again with not one but two more. However, with this decision has come extra expenses, worry, and increased funding needs. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated in trying to bring our children home.

Thank you for your financial and prayer support in bringing our family together.

11/16/16—TRAVELING NOW

$218.20
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.png00Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-10-04 15:02:502016-11-16 09:04:20STORY and STACY for the Tannehill family -- FL

Jairo and Katie met at a race put on by their University. They quickly became friends through their shared love of endurance sports and love for God. Fast forward a few years and they were happily married and settled into their respective careers and excited to welcome their first baby Oliver. Shortly after Oliver was born, they began to seriously talk about adding to their family through adoption. Adoption was not a new topic for Jairo (who is adopted) and Katie, as they had previously discussed the possibility of adding to their family through adoption one day. Both felt strongly that “one day” was now and this resulted in the adoption of their beautiful and spunky daughter Anna from the foster care system. As often happens, once a family’s eyes are opened to the amazing gift of adoption and the enormous need, the Flores family once again felt that they were being called to love another little one through the process of adoption. This time China and this time a sweet little one with Down Syndrome. Oliver (5 years old) and Anna (2 years old) share the excitement of their parents in welcoming this new addition. Anna asks on a daily basis “sissy almost home?” Soon little one…soon!

11/2/16—TRAVELING NOVEMBER 11

$2,249.00
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

Willy and Ines Wallace live in Fort Myers, Florida. They are the parents of six wonderful children. Their three adult “kids”already out to college and professionals living on their own. Their 3 younger ones are elementary age and keeping them busy and happy!

The Wallace’s have walked the international adoption journey twice before. God has allowed them to witness the heartbreaking reality of these orphans (especially the ones with special needs). The memory of the children left behind will stay with the Wallace’s forever. Although international adoption is hard, long and expensive, Willy and Ines feel that they can’t just close their eyes and ignore the needs of these children.

The Wallace’s need $18,000 to be fully funded. This will cover fees for traveling expenses, in-country lodging as well as transportation , facilitation, paper chasing, etc..

The Wallace family will be eternally grateful for anyone who feels led to help them fund this adoption so they can bring a child to their home and family where she belongs. Sincerely, we Thank You!

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.png00Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-06-07 20:38:062016-11-16 12:13:49LAUREL for the Wallace family -- FL

Taylor and Katie Davis are parents to five, soon to be six, adorable, amazing children ages 10 and under. They have been married for 11 years and family is their focus and greatest joy in life. Their family has already been blessed and forever changed for the better by the adoption of a sweet, energetic, three-year- old (now 5) little boy from Hong Kong in 2014. They are so excited to be on this journey again to adopt little “Michael” — soon to be named Louie! — and have him become a part of their family forever.

Louie’s soon to be big brothers and big sisters are anxiously awaiting his arrival and are so ready, along with Mom and Dad, to welcome him into their hearts. Katie and Taylor are in awe of the plan and path that their lives have taken and so grateful to be blessed with one more little one to love and care for. This family is so excited to make it through the long, sometimes trying, adoption process and bring little brother home, and they are very thankful for any support, donations, and prayers in their behalf.

11/16/16—TRAVELING NOVEMBER 22
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at tkdavis.blogspot.com

$48.50
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Michael-2014-3-300x213.jpg213300Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-05-16 17:44:292016-12-05 11:52:43MICHAEL for the Davis family -- UT

We are the Romero family. We have six children ages 12-2. We learned that our youngest was gifted with an extra chromosome shortly after his birth in July 2014. The truth of Psalm 139:13 — “You knitted me together in my mother’s womb” — became that much more intimate as we explained to our children that God added the extra copy of chromosome 21 more than a trillion times. We knew that God made our son and every one of us uniquely, in His image, for His glory and there are no mistakes.

We had never thought about adoption before but through our son’s birth the Lord opened our eyes to the needs of children all around the world with a special calling to those with Down syndrome and special needs.

When we learned about Reece’s Rainbow at our first Buddy Walk and read that in other parts of the world these children are viewed as outcasts with no ability to learn or be functional members of society, languishing in mental institutions, hidden away from the world in shame, our heart broke for these children. We see their faces and picture our son being born into those circumstances. Our family knew that we had been called to serve these children.

We stared at the Reece’s Rainbow magnet on our refrigerator and their web site for months, praying for the children and saying that we will adopt “one day”. Until we finally realized that the only thing holding us back was fear, fear of traveling, fear of all that is involved and a lot of financial fears. We thought about how powerful our God is and the fact that the bigger the “task” the greater glory we see in His hand in it. We were reminded of Gideon whose army was dwindled to 300 just so that the glory would go to the Lord and the miracles that Christ did throughout the Bible. He is the creator of this universe. How could we fear or doubt His power in this? We know it won’t be easy but we have trust in Him.

We are so excited to bring Domenic home to our family. We are so anxious to wrap our arms around him and show him the love of a family and the love of our Savior! In our minds and hearts he is already our son. We know that not everyone is called to adopt and not everyone is called to adopt an orphan with special needs, but some are called to pray and pray earnestly and some are called to give and give generously. What an amazing picture of the body of Christ at work, all for the love of this one precious baby. Thank you for joining us and may all glory go to our amazing God!!

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/domenic.png287320Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-07-26 10:26:162016-11-25 12:12:08DOMENIC for the Romero family -- TN

Jennifer and Robert have been married for almost 18 years, and have five wonderful children (four born to them and one adopted from Asia). Their family was complete, until Jennifer – who sometimes volunteers as an advocate for their adoption agency – saw “Lanikai” on their agency’s waiting child list.

Lanikai needs to come home as soon as possible. She has developed epilepsy, which is not uncommon in children with CP. Lanikai’s epilepsy is severe, however, and her orphanage has not been able to control it with medication. Jennifer and Robert are doing everything they can to get to Lanikai as soon as possible. Despite a series of “you know you are adopting when” issues (a builder who ran off with their large deposit, a police clearance that is inexplicably delayed … ), they are praying that both the U.S. and Asia will expedite their approvals.

The Flanigan family is so very grateful for the support of the Reece’s Rainbow community. Lanikai’s grant helped them to make the decision to commit to adopt again now.

11/15/16—TRAVELING on DECEMBER 18

$294.29
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Lanikai.jpg281259Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-05-03 18:01:562016-11-16 12:13:12LANIKAI for the Flanigan family -- NY

We have five biological children, and we’ve adopted six Chinese children. Our two new daughters will make seven and eight adopted children. Before our first adoption, and before our second international adoption, we said goodbye to our two beloved daughters. After our first biological daughter, Stella Rose, died at 5-days-old in October 2010 (as a result of a very rare chromosomal syndrome and multiple birth defects), God opened our eyes to the beauty and value of all children – not just those who were born “perfect.” In December 2012, we adopted our first two Chinese daughters, one with a limb difference and one with severe Congenital Heart Disease. Our younger baby girl, Rose, the one with severe CHD, went to be with the Lord ten months after we brought her home. Her sweet little life moved us to adopt again, and we brought home two more daughters in January 2015. In August 2015, we learned of a brother and sister (one with a limb difference, and one with a very rare chromosomal difference and repaired heart defect) who had originally been adopted from China and whose family decided to dissolve their adoption. We brought them home in October of last year, and they officially became part of our family in December. We feel that God has given us a legacy of loss and love – beauty from ashes – to share with children who need a family to call their own. Even six years ago, we would’ve never dreamed that God would grow our family in this way or to this number, but we praise Him for the each precious child He has entrusted to us. Our story, and our family, is a testimony of His healing, grace, redemption, and provision!

11/16/16—TRAVELING IN DECEMBER

$5,304.35
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

My husband and I have been married for twenty five years. He was my high school sweetheart. We married and had five beautiful bio kids. We felt a very strong calling for the orphans of the world. God was very strong in speaking to our hearts that there were children who needed Moms and Dads. I would like to say we obeyed immediately but we wrestled with it for a year or two. We are a home schooling family and felt we were finally “arriving” where we could have some time to just enjoy the kids. But God was faithful and patient. We became foster parents and got a call for placement of micro preemie twins. One was with bio Mom and the other waiting to be discharged with nowhere to go and would we take them? Well of course, the answer was yes! Haylee had a brain bleed, she needed a shunt and has cp. She got the shunt and walks with a walker. Baylee is healthy.

Having Haylee as a special needs placement changed me. I knew when I walked in the hospital I would never be the same. My heart grew 1000 times bigger in a matter of seconds. So we got little Miss Baylee on a Thursday night. The smallest baby I had ever seen and Haylee the next Saturday. We adopted the girls on Dec. 1 2014. Well Bio Mom had preemie baby twins again 11 ½ months after Haylee and Baylee. She requested we take them as well. So Joy and Jessa joined our family and became ours June 2015. All I can say is it is a life full of extreme craziness! It really is like having quads!

But I still felt like a special needs child needed me. I just did not feel complete. Which is weird and kind of scary considering we added four babies in a year and a half. So I have always followed Reece’s Rainbows. I saw Darren last Saturday and I knew he was my son. I have never in my entire life felt the way I felt when I saw him. Immediately I went before the Lord. I had so many questions…. How can I do it? The time, the money, the extreme amount of rehab he needs. But the Lord made it very clear that I would be doing all of that. I fell prostate on the the floor and the emotions that came over me are like nothing I have ever experienced. I know now, God was breaking my heart for what breaks his. It was hours before I could compose myself and days before I could stop crying. Just thinking about him all this time laying in that bed. My heart felt like it was in a vice. But then God showed me what his life is gonna be and I had hope and joy and then the “Momma Bear” kicked in and I worked 8 hours straight on Sunday readying all those forms to put a legal hold on him. We barely made it. His file was going back on Wednesday. By Wednesday, I have hired Datz foundation and express mailed the 2500.00 for an expedited home study. Of course, I borrowed the money with the promise to pay it back.

Now I feel like I have no other calling but to bring my son home. We are a family of 12. Soon to be 13. That is our story, his Dad and I are changing his name to Nathaniel James. Nathaniel means Chosen by God! And that he was. Hang on little guy Momma is on the way!!

11/15/16—AWAITING FINAL TRIP

$1,100.32
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/kimreyphoto.jpg640548Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2015-12-15 08:36:352016-12-05 16:59:11DARREN for the Kimrey family -- VA

We are the Huizinga family from Virginia! We are excited to announce we are adopting “Saleena” and “Polly”! They will join Dad & Mom, Paul & Maureen, as well as siblings Penny, Sarah, Nathaniel, Iain, Thomas, Fanny, Joshua, Greyson, Julia, one big fat dog named Ellie, and a silly barn kitty named Dingo (Mom says, don’t ask…) We have been married for 16 years. 2 years ago, we brought Penny and Fanny home to join our family, and our entire heart for orphans/orphan care was forever changed. We have waded through some challenging transitions and scary health concerns with Penny in particular and patiently waited to see if or how God might allow us to care for more children.

Thus enters two sweet tiny girls….

Saleena and Polly reside in Pen’s previous orphanage facility. This particular orphanage is near and dear to our hearts, and we have been blessed to see huge progress in the quality of care that is being provided there. The best facility in the world, however, can’t replace a FAMILY as the best place for children to grow & flourish! Saleena and Polly have some special challenges and delays, but we are familiar with the types of needs which are currently known (and know well enough to be prepared for more need, less need, or completely different needs, as they are revealed in the process!) Thank you for supporting our family. James 1:27.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Saleena-2-200x300.jpg300200Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-04-07 18:20:172016-10-18 08:59:30SALEENA and POLLY for the Huizinga family -- VA

Brent and Mary met in vet school and married in 2009. After their daughter was born in 2010, Mary stumbled upon Reece’s Rainbow. After following a number of families over the years, a beautiful little girl named “Celine” caught Mary’s heart. Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, her country banned adoptions to American couples. Her picture still hangs on the fridge. Mary continued to follow many of the Reece’s Rainbow families and, through the blog of an adoptive family, saw a picture of a handsome young man named “Charlie” who she immediately knew belonged in their family.

The Sanders’ have four daughters and are excited to be adding a boy to the mix. The girls cannot wait to have a brother and now Brent and Mary finally have an answer to the question, “so when are ya’ll gonna try for that boy?!”

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/charlie-2015-2.jpg960720Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-02-20 09:29:512016-09-06 16:33:58CHARLIE for the Sanders family -- TX

As a teenager Caroline spent a great deal of time overseas doing volunteer work with children (mostly special needs and medically fragile). At age 20, after a lengthy process, she was able to obtain Humanitarian Parole for a child she had worked with in Romania who had serious medical needs that needed to be addressed. Raul was born with severe Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. She later received permanent guardianship, and Raul received a green card, enabling to stay in the U.S. with Caroline. Last Fall Raul underwent a bone marrow transplant, and unfortunately passed away due to complications this past Spring.

Caroline felt that having Raul in her life had been 100% worth any amount of heartache, and that she would have done it 100 times over to have had these years with him. Before Raul passed, Caroline heard of another little boy in Eastern Europe with severe EB that was in need of a home. She knew at that time that she could not bring him home, but hoped he would find a family that could bring him home quickly!

After Raul passed away, Caroline found out that no other families had come forward for “Travis”, and felt that she had the unique experience necessary to adopt such a medically fragile child. She had had five years of knowledge about Epidermolysis Bullosa, and knew she could get “Travis” the care he desperately needed. She is now working to get “Travis” home as fast as possible, and is looking forward to meeting him soon!

10/5/16—FIRST TRIP OCTOBER 8

$5,825.11
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/Travis1-300x217.jpg217300Michellehttp://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/10logo4x4-3.pngMichelle2016-06-27 09:02:432016-10-18 08:56:30A Child for the Ruhl family --

The entire Bloom family is thrilled to be adopting again! In 2014, with the help of Reece’s Rainbow, they added four older boys with special needs to their family. 2 of them had been living in a group home, 1 had spent his entire life in a crib in a laying down room, and 1 had already aged out and would have been transferred to a very bad place. All 4 of them have thrived since coming home. Now they can’t wait to do it again with your help!

They sent in paperwork to be able to adopt another aging out child, a friend of their son who is headed to the same place. They are moving as quickly as possible to get to Amos because he has already turned 16.

The Bloom family will also be bringing home Daisy! Daisy has spent most of her life in a crib. She was scheduled to become unadoptable due to changes at the group home she was moved into, but instead will be adopted by the Blooms.

Lee is another child from a laying down room who the Bloom family spent time with during their last adoption. His medical condition is possibly complicated and he urgently needs medical care that he is not receiving in the orphanage.

Violet is a very sweet and gentle older girl with special needs. She was a friend of the boys who had lived in the group home. She will be a very loved addition to the Bloom family as well.

Any prayers and support you can offer are very appreciated!

9/8/16—APPOINTMENT IS OCTOBER 27

*** $1140 MATCHING GRANT! Once FSP reads $33,765, a donor will give the remaining funds they need to be fully funded for their adoption! ***

The McQuinn family have 3 biological children, two of whom have a terminal muscle wasting disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Their strong love and dreams for their children made it impossible to say “No” when they discovered the situations around the world involving disabled orphans. They didn’t want to believe the statistics and information they were reading could be true. It seemed that the more they researched the more their hearts broke. Amanda says, “knowing my children’s amazingness and strong will for life helps us not recognize them as disabled, we see OUR KIDS not their disability and we strive to give them a very meaningful life.” What led them to adopt ultimately was when they came across a child listed on Reece’s Rainbow. They knew instantly he was their son. The only reason to say no would have been because of funding issues but they will not let that stop them. Shortly after their commitment to Ricky they found Elizabeth. They waited and waited for a family to come for the precious beauty who shares the same disease as their bio’s. As their adoption for Ricky progressed, their love for Elizabeth grew, and knowing about her disease they knew they couldn’t leave her there to die alone. So they says “yes” to both … “we will come for you.”

Martin and Jennifer Quinn have 7 amazing children. Three biological and four adopted from Reece’s Rainbow! In 2013 they brought home two young boys with Down Syndrome from Eastern Europe. In 2014 they returned to bring home an infant girl with Down syndrome and a young boy with Hydrocephalus, Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy. During their first adoption they met a beautiful young girl with the saddest eyes in the orphanage their sons were at. She ran to Marty calling him “papa”. He promised one day he would return for her. That time has come! The Quinn’s are excited to fulfill their promise and finally give this beautiful orphan girl, with the sad eyes a loving forever home!

John is one of 11 kids and loves every minute of being in such a big family! While he never thought he would have a big family of his own, he is certainly warming up to the idea. Kelsey was born to be a mom and if you ask anyone that knows her, it is no surprise she has so many children already! John is analytical and precise while Kelsey tends to be a free spirit which makes them perfect for each other.

We have 4 wild and adventurous children, ranging in age from only 1 year old to 5 years old (there are twins in there)! As you can imagine, our life seems pretty chaotic to most. To us, it is full of grace, joy, and a whole lot of laughter. Our youngest was adopted domestically, and God took us a on a serious journey through that process of learning who He is and what His heart beats for. Before she was ever in our arms, we knew we would adopt again.

We prayed and prayed that God would give us clarity on what He wanted next for us. Kelsey began looking on Reece’s Rainbow and was sure of two things: God wanted us to adopt a child listed on RR, and He wanted us to look in Eastern Europe. When she brought this to John, he was a bit unsure and needed some time to process it and pray. While he knew it was what God wanted, he wrestled with the idea of where the money would come from after such a short time of recovery from our last adoption. We both asked God to put us on the same page. After about only a week, we sat down and talked. We were both sure now that, despite the uncertainties, God was asking us to move forward. He reminded us that He is in control and the single source of all we have, and every blessing we have is from Him.

Back to Reece’s Rainbow we went and prayed about a few different kids. We didn’t yet have a clear “yes” on any kids until one day when we searched “Newly Listed Children.” The very first little boy that popped up, we knew. He was who God had laid on our hearts and told us to pursue.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to be on this journey again and bringing home our son, Billy, soon to be named August! He is already so deeply cherished and loved.

Update! The Jast family will also be bringing home DAVID.

12/5/16—APPT on JANUARY 31

$4,971.44
has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.